Matrix Video Game in trouble?

Interplay could run into roadblocks in releasing its games based on The Matrix films.

While development on The Matrix video game continues at Shiny Entertainment, the future of Interplay’s hold on the license is starting to look a little murky. The company’s licensing agreement for The Matrix allows the licensor, Warner Bros., to terminate the license if there is a substantial change of ownership without its approval. Although this is a relatively common contract clause, the inclusion of the stipulation in this case may become important due to Interplay’s recent financial problems–the company recently reported an 87 percent decrease in earnings over the same period last year and a net loss of $20.6 million for the third quarter alone. Insiders at Interplay are concerned that the company’s recent financial troubles may dampen Warner Bros.’ confidence in the publisher’s ability to deliver the multiple product releases based on all three films in the series.

The Matrix games are in the action-adventure genre and are rumored to be using Shiny’s Messiah game engine. Interplay could not be reached for comment at press time.

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on Saturday, November 24th, 2001 at 9:39 pm and is filed under Video Games.
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